Fall is right around the corner, the leaves are changing, the kids are back in school and it is time for you to start thinking about preparing your HVAC system for the cold! You may be thinking, “already?” And the answer is yes! It is best for you to service your furnace at the very beginning of fall or even better at the end of summer. This helps to make sure that your HVAC can function properly and efficiently all winter long.
Once the cold temperatures arrive it can be difficult to schedule HVAC services and repairs because everyone else is faced with potential heating problems too! The last thing you need is for your system to fail in the middle of a cold winter night so taking the proper steps in preparing your HVAC system for the cold will help you avoid this from occurring. Here are some of the best things you can do to prepare for the upcoming change in temperature heading our way.
Once the cold temperatures arrive it can be difficult to schedule HVAC services and repairs because everyone else is faced with potential heating problems too! The last thing you need is for your system to fail in the middle of a cold winter night so taking the proper steps in preparing your HVAC system for the cold will help you avoid this from occurring. Here are some of the best things you can do to prepare for the upcoming change in temperature heading our way.
If you happen to have an oil burning furnace you will have to replace your oil filter, burner nozzle, and fill up the tank. Your oil burning furnace also needs regular service and cleaning, much more than gas burning furnaces do. This is because the oil burns less efficiently and leaves more residue in the heat exchanger. Taking the time to do these things is vital when it comes to preparing your HVAC system for the cold weather.
If you aren’t changing your HVAC filters regularly then you are putting an unnecessary amount of stress on your entire system. This happens because your filters eventually get clogged with lint and debris, and if you have pets this happens even faster. As these filters get clogged up, your furnace has to work much harder to pull air through them. If you leave your filter unchanged it can cause serious problems and can even cause your furnace to break down over time. Making sure to change your HVAC filters every six months is an important part of preparing your HVAC system for the cold.
When it comes to the heat exchanger in your furnace, it has to be cleaned each year as a part of your heating maintenance. In order for this to happen, an HVAC specialist will have to disable the furnace before dusting and vacuuming the heat exchanger. The technician will also take the time to look for any cracks and other signs that your furnace may be leaking carbon monoxide into your home. Taking the time to service your heat exchanger is an important part of your residential heating maintenance.
Once the temperatures of fall have cooled enough to turn off your AC, you will want to take the time to cover your outdoor condenser unit. You can do this by using a large square of plywood or trash can lid held down with bungee cords to help protect it from falling debris and ice.
An important part of preparing your HVAC system for the cold is taking a look at your blower motor. You can check your system’s owner’s manual to find out if your blower motor needs to be cleaned and lubricated regularly. If your system does in fact need to be cleaned and lubricated there should be instructions on how you can open the cover to clean and lubricate the bearings. Typically you will have to remove the cover, clean the bearing caps, and then remove the caps before adding lubricant to the bearings. However, this cleaning process may be a little too complex and best left to the professionals.
Even if you don’t have a wood or coal burning fire place, you still have the chimney for your gas or oil furnace. Because of this, it is important for it to be inspected regularly for signs of corrosion, animal activity, or carbon build-up making it extremely important to have your chimney professionally cleaned each year.
Another important step in preparing your HVAC system for the cold revolves around your igniter switch. Regardless of whether or not your system has a newer electronic igniter or a pilot light, it is important for you to test the igniter switch each year.
Your carbon monoxide detectors are your last line of defense against what is known as the silent killer. This is why it is important to test your carbon monoxide detectors each fall and to make sure they are placed at least five feet off the floor.
It is important for your HVAC’s systems heating ducts to be cleaned regularly in order to allow for efficient heating and to provide fresh and clean air. You also want to take the time to ensure that your ducts are properly sealed and insulated so warm air won’t seep. out. A trained HVAC technician can help you make sure that your heating ducts are in tip top shape while preparing your HVAC system for the cold.
However, the absolute best way to ensure you are preparing your HVAC system for the cold is through regularly scheduled heating maintenance. This preventative maintenance can help improve the efficiency of your system and work to identify small problems before they affect your unit’s performance and leave you in need of some serious repairs
Our team at Express Tech Air is here to help you transition into the colder months with our residential heating services. The last thing we want is for you and your family to be left out in the cold because of a broken HVAC system. Give our team of experts a call today to ensure your HVAC system is prepared to handle the cold.
